Step daughter killer jailed

A man from Binga has been jailed for an effective seven years for killing his 6 year old step daughter.

The High Court found Qiniso Sibanda guilty of culpable homicide after he beat up his step daughter Linda Bongiwe Manyatela to death.

For failing to control his temper resulting in him beating to death his step daughter on the 29th of December last year, Qiniso Sibanda of Lusulu village in Binga will spend 7 years behind bars after the High Court convicted him of culpable homicide.

Sibanda had been left in the custody of the child by her mother, Sithembize Manyathela Sibanda.

When Sibanda wanted to go to work, he could not locate the child and when he found her at their uncle, Adam Sibanda's homestead, he beat her with an unknown object until she became unconscious.

The accused's mother Monica Sibanda later found the unconscious child dumped in her kitchen and tried to render first aid, but it was too late and the child had died.

Before passing judgement, Justice Martin Makonese said the beating was not only excessive but a typical case of child abuse which is becoming more common.

He said the only crime of the deceased was that she was not home when her step father was looking for her.

He told the court that this will not be tolerated, adding parents who physically abuse children should expect harsh sentences.